CHRISTIAN WOOD

The spot was for a company called Smart Action, which uses AI to automate customer service. It was cast by Jeremy Bear at Binary Pulse Studios.

2. What 101 tools did you use in the audition?

In this case, the casting director had a very specific vision from the client, and these specifics, in the form of personality and dialogue, were stressed to me. I was also told that in addition to knowing the dialogue, I would need to ad lib after speaking the given dialogue. I was told this last minute, and this is where my 101 training came in to save the day. I had already broken down my copy like I was taught in 101 to hone in on what the client was going for. But more importantly, I had already created three "tags" during my preparation, so I was ready to improvise in a style that served the client's needs. This made all the difference, as I was able to calmly deliver my tags and seem at home in the character.

In addition to the technical skills like tagging and The Yeah Yeah Yeah that I learned in Bill's 101, by far the biggest tool that allows me to thrive in rooms is knowing how to show up in service. Best place to practice that is in the room with Bill. I use that "tool" always now. Works just as well in life.

3. What 101 tools did you use in the callback?

There actually was no callback on this one; direct to set.

4. What 101 tools did you use on set?

Ironically, the copy became much less important once on set, but the original copy breakdown and remembering the client's objectives informed my choices when encouraged by the director to improvise both dialogue and movement. I remembered to be interested, not interesting. We learned in 101 how to spot the fear either in a room or on set and then do our part to eradicate that fear, which is hugely helpful to me. Not that there was much fear on this set, but things always get somewhat frenetic while filming, and using tools that were polished in the 101 class, like eradicating my own fear and having the touchstone of serving the client and the spot, were incredibly valuable.

I also had an opportunity to use the technique of creating a picture to support an affinity I had for the tow truck driver I had a scene with. I feel that tool helped me create what comes across as a genuine gratitude in the scene. Little tools like these, practiced with Bill, become very natural to use in rooms and on set.

5. What's one thing you'd keep and one thing you'd leave behind?

One thing I'd keep- using the state of service to get into the creative flow. If you're in service, you're automatically not focused on yourself, and I have found that opens up creativity. Bill teaches an awesome "meditation" that helps you tap into this easily. One thing I'd leave behind- always wanting another take to do something a little bit better. Bill helped me remember to review my work, not judge it, but I found my self doing that a few times on set. Looking forward to letting that go on the next one.